ARTERIES describe themselves as a DIY band. From music, to album design, to organising tours, the Swansea punk outfit take charge of the lot.

While there are obvious benefits to this approach, it does mean that unless you are an ardent fan of the genre, you may not have heard of them.

But the band, who appear at the Westgarth Social Club, Middlesbrough, on February 6, say they won’t depart from their values in a bid for quick success.

Bassist Jamie Morrison says: “We have no interest in using any talent that we might have to become involved in anything radio friendly. It’s not because we have anything against poppy-sounding songs, the problem lies with the mainstream radio. The DIY attitude that we have and the way that we operate this band doesn’t fit with the manufactured, out of your own hands aspect of the mainstream at all.”

The band, promoting their new album Dead Sea, the follow up to debut Blood, Sweat and Beers, say they are looking forward to taking to the stage in the North-East.

“We record the music to act as a document. The live show and interaction with each other and the crowds at the shows is what makes touring in a band fun and worthwhile,”

Morrison says.